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Call for papers - Complementary medicine for sleep disorders

Guest Editors

Sunny H.W. Chan, PhD, University of the West of England, UK
Sang-Ho Kim, KMD, PhD, Daegu Haany University, South Korea

Submission Status: Open   |   Submission Deadline: 3 December 2025


BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies is calling for submissions to our Collection on Complementary medicine for sleep disorders.

Sleep is a fundamental pillar of health and well-being, playing a critical role in cognitive function, emotional regulation, metabolic balance, immune defense, and overall quality of life. However, sleep disorders—including insomnia, sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, and circadian rhythm disruptions—are increasingly prevalent worldwide, significantly affecting public health and productivity. This Collection aims to explore the efficacy, mechanisms, and safety of various complementary approaches to sleep disorders.

Meet the Guest Editors

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Sunny H.W. Chan, PhD, University of the West of England, UK

Before joining the University of the West of England (UWE) as a Senior Lecturer, Dr Sunny Chan served as an Assistant Professor at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University for approximately three years. Over the past few years, he has authored more than 30 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters. Dr Chan's research interests primarily encompass mental health, sleep, dementia, mood disorders, emotion regulation, and mind-body interventions, with a particular focus on mindfulness and tai chi. He has also acquired extensive clinical experience in the mental health field through his work in various public hospitals and non-governmental organizations in Hong Kong. Currently, he serves as an editor for three esteemed academic journals.

Sang-Ho Kim, KMD, PhD, Daegu Haany University, South Korea

Prof Sang-Ho Kim is an Associate Professor in the Department of Neuropsychiatry of Korean Medicine at Daegu Haany University, where he has been teaching since 2012. As a specialist in Neuropsychiatry of Korean Medicine, his research focuses on complementary medicine approaches for neuropsychiatric conditions, with particular expertise in sleep disorders, depression, and trauma-related conditions. He has published extensively on acupuncture, herbal medicine, and other traditional approaches for neuropsychiatric conditions. He has contributed to systematic reviews and meta-analyses in the field, advancing evidence-based practice in Korean Medicine. His work aims to bridge traditional and modern therapeutic approaches for holistic mental healthcare.

About the Collection

BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies is calling for submissions to our Collection on Complementary medicine for sleep disorders.

Sleep is a fundamental pillar of health and well-being, playing a critical role in cognitive function, emotional regulation, metabolic balance, immune defense, and overall quality of life. However, sleep disorders—including insomnia, sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, and circadian rhythm disruptions—are increasingly prevalent worldwide, significantly affecting public health and productivity.

This Collection aims to explore the efficacy, mechanisms, and safety of various complementary approaches to sleep disorders, including but not limited to:

  • Herbal medicine and nutraceuticals
  • Mind-body interventions (e.g., meditation, yoga, tai chi)
  • Acupuncture
  • Aromatherapy and essential oils
  • Nutritional and dietary interventions
  • Manual therapies (e.g., massage, acupressure, osteopathy)
  • Innovative technologies integrating complementary approaches


We also welcome studies investigating the integration of these therapies with conventional treatments and encourage submissions discussing the contributions of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Ayurvedic practices, Korean Medicine (KM), Kampo Medicine, and other globally recognized traditional approaches to sleep health. Finally, we seek submissions exploring the application of complementary therapies in diverse populations, including pediatric, adolescent, geriatric, and pregnant patients, as well as individuals with comorbid conditions such as chronic pain, neurodevelopmental disorders, cardiovascular disease, and mental health challenges (e.g., anxiety, depression, PTSD).

Continued research in this area could lead to innovative evidence-based clinical practice guidelines that combine complementary and conventional approaches, addressing individual patient needs and preferences. As our understanding of sleep biology and the therapeutic effects of natural agents expands, we may also see the development of standardized guidelines for clinicians, policymakers, and researchers, ensuring safe and effective use of complementary therapies for sleep disorders.

All manuscripts submitted to this journal, including those submitted to collections and special issues, are assessed in line with our editorial policies and the journal’s peer review process. Reviewers and editors are required to declare competing interests and can be excluded from the peer review process if a competing interest exists.

Image credit: © Halfpoint / Getty Images / iStock (Symbolbild mit Fotomodell)

There are currently no articles in this collection.

Submission Guidelines

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This Collection welcomes submission of original Research Articles. Should you wish to submit a different article type, please read our submission guidelines to confirm that type is accepted by the journal. Articles for this Collection should be submitted via our submission system, Snapp. During the submission process you will be asked whether you are submitting to a Collection, please select "Complementary medicine for sleep disorders" from the dropdown menu.

All manuscripts submitted to this journal, including those submitted to collections and special issues, are assessed in line with our editorial policies and the journal’s peer review process. Reviewers and editors are required to declare competing interests and can be excluded from the peer review process if a competing interest exists.